Buddha

Rating:
Summary: "Everything in moderation...
Review: ...including moderation," are among my favorite words of the Buddha, and for me, neatly sum up an ideology that some people refer to as complicated or esoteric. I have considered myself a Buddhist for several years now...didn't plan it that way...just started meditating to help me alleviate anxiety, eight years ago last month, and after about a year-and-a-half of insights that just arose naturally from my mindfulness practice, I finally read a book about Buddhism and had the realization that my perception had shifted to the point that my personal ideals are closer to Buddhism than any other "major world religion."

I prefer not to think of Buddhism as a "religion." I think of it as being more of a spiritual ideology, that's just as much about psychology as it is spirituality--and, by the way, too many western psychotherapists and clergymen don't seem to get the fact that psyche and spirit are inextricably linked--one of the realizations that most practitioners of meditation/mindfulness eventually have for themselves is that all things are connected, and that borders and boundaries are merely man-made illusions: if we would all realize that, there would be a lot less conflict and environmental problems in the world.

Buddhism is mostly about creating a proper "MENTAL CULTURE" that helps us to overcome our egocentric hatred, prejudices, jealousy, obsessions, and petty resentments, that all fall under the category of "ignorance;" and to recognize that "god"--or whatever one wants to call the creative force that continues to create in a continuous cycle of arising and subsiding--exists equally in all beings. This is why the Buddha wanted to be remembered not for his life, but for his message. As human beings, it is a projection of our egocentric tendencies that we tend to focus too much on the actual events of peoples lives than the real value of their legacies. It's not forgetting the events of history that condemns us to repeat them, but failing to learn the lessons of history...that's why many of us make the same mistakes over and over again; and, like Phil in the movie, Groundhog Day, we don't get to move on to a new day until we get it right.

Now on to this book. I agree with other reviewers that the book is more informative for non-Buddhists, because it does provide some good information about the Buddha's teachings, although I agree with others that I'm not sure that a biographical account of a life, the details of which are purposely sketchy so as not to emphasize his life over his message, was the best way to communicate this message. The thing I find most problematic about this book is that it does treat his teachings as an ancient, esoteric practice, rather than one that is just as pertinent today as it was 2,500 years ago...in fact, maybe it's even more pertinent today, in a human world that is currently embroiled in degenerative political and ideolical conflicts that have arisen from the ego, that uniquely human reality filter that prevents us from seeing things as they really are, and gives us the false impression that we are separate from our neighbors.

I also wanted to echo the sentiments of another reviewer that pointed out that human "desire" is not what creates problems for us (the Buddha's second noble truth, as stated in the book is that human "suffering" is caused by "desire," which is not the best translation of the Buddha's words). "Desire" is a creative vehicle of nature: what gets us in trouble is when desire becomes excessive and turns into uncontrollable cravings, obsessions, and compulsions.

Whatever spiritual path you choose, please make sure you choose it mindfully, that it really works for you--that is, that it really answers your questions about existence satisfactorily, rather than just raising more questions--and that you don't just do it because this is the "religion" that your family has always practiced. Explore multiple ideologies, and make a conscious decision about what path you choose. Beliefs can be used to wound or heal, and humanity can't really afford to have too much more "worshipping on auto pilot."

Rating:
Summary: Buddha gets lost in translation.
Review: I read this book during my 3 month stay in Bangkok, and found it somewhat useful understanding the culture. The book does great job in connecting the dots. It includes multiple historical facts, interpretations, and comparisons to other religions.

The book became difficult to read after 40 pages. She uses quite a few terminologies (long and hard to remember). It became frustrating to remember their meanings and follow the text.

After Buddha dies, the book ends. I was also hoping to come to the final section and learn more about how Buddhism became a religion, and how Buddha's influence changed overtime and in what ways. This book needs another chapter at the end.

Rating:
Summary: Buddha gets lost in translation.
Review: I wouldn't recommend this book. Armstrong makes Buddha 'accessible' by making him as much like a contemporary sceptical Western intellectual as she possibly can, even when she has to contradict herself to do so. (Example: she keeps saying that he didn't believe in any 'higher power' but then she quotes texts which refer to his belief in Hindu gods such as Brahma). She also does not care about historical proof. Not only doesn't she have a bibliography (as some other reviewers have mentioned) but she behaves as if Karl Jaspers' theories about there having been an Axial Age are fact and she extrapolates wildly about life in Buddha's time with no source material. An unwary reader might get the idea from her preface that she is a scholar in Pali or Sanskrit--read the last paragraph carefully though and you realize that she just paraphrases other people's translations. Bhikku Nanamoli's LIFE OF BUDDHA ACCORDING TO THE PALI CANON was her main source (though she never gives him credit) and I would suggest that someone who really wants to learn about Buddha without her Oprah-like take on his ideas, should just read that book. (It's sold right here on Amazon). I notice that the reviewers who admire this work here all say "I don't know anything about Buddhism and she explains it so well" but as I said before they should be aware that her 'explaining' is just Westernizing and modernizing him in a way that is inaccurate. Would Buddha REALLY have thought that the tempter Mara was just another facet of his own psyche? And what would he have thought about the way she discusses meditation (with extreme nervousness and suspicion) when that was at the very center of his ideas?

I am personally a Christian but was a seeker for a long time first before the historicity and logic of the Bible made me a convert. I think it is a good thing for people to look at good ACCURATE descriptions of other religions if they are looking to make up their minds about faith. I studied Buddhism in Asia with a teacher who later became a Buddhist nun before I decided that it wasn't for me. From what my teacher taught, and from the intensive reading that I have done on this subject (I teach Buddhism now as history) this book is just not accurate.

Rating:
Summary: Biographer of the Divine
Review: Karen Armstrong has made quite a career out of writing biographies, not only about manifestations of the divine, but the early history of the movements they inspire. If the potential reader is looking for esoteric tracts on yogic practice (and the Buddha would have abhorred such fascination) then this is not the book they need.

Rather, this delicious and brief treat of a book explains what Buddha and Buddhism meant in the context of their early history. India had become a place where great business republics were involved in rapid economic growth (like today's global economy) and were being consumed by the new monarchical states. A huge middle class was emerging that could not be pigeonholed into the old caste system, and therefore rejected it; life had become overly materialistic and people were desperately turning to anything for a sense of spiritual well-being (sort of like today.)

What Armstrong does simply and wonderfully is reveal this worldwide phase of history and the contribution of the Buddha in meeting its challenges. His teachings are decidedly NOT the mysterious, esoteric bunk that priesthoods of every religion have invented to maintain their exhalted position, but were in fact very practical means for bringing the unhappy people of the age into enlightenment-- sort of like what people are looking for today.

I was especially happy to read this book because of these larger, "global" contexts that are expressed or implied. Buddhism belongs in the hall of great world religions, as Buddha belongs among the great manifestations of the divine. Armstrong has delivered a fine portrait of the Buddha's life that puts them both in their proper place, yet she avoids the trap of making them such objects of adoration that the text would become a mere tract.

I sincerely hope that Karen Armstrong will see fit to examine other religions and manifestations like this. I would particularly like to read anything she has to say about Zoroaster or Baha'u'llah.

Rating:
Summary: Another Fine Addition to Karen Armstrong's Books
Review: Karen Armstrong tackles the life of Buddha for the Penguin Lives series with very good results. It is a difficult life in which to write a biography as the only sources for the life of the person were written down much later (centureies even) and are entirely part of a religious canon. The author does a superb job of handling this challenge, treating the subject's religious significance with the care she shows to the more Middle Eastern monotheistic religions (Judiaism, Christianity, and Islam) that she usually tackles. This book may frustrate those interested in the Buddha the man without a examination of the religion of Buddhism (impossible) or those looking for a book essentially on Buddhism in addition to a biography of Buddha (not possible in this small format). This book is a wonderful compromise that should get readers excited about Buddhism and having having them explore further. It not, the reader will still be left with the wonderful story of this incredible man and his beliefs.

Rating:
Summary: Limited
Review: Karen Armstrong who obviously has a deep respect for Buddhism and the man who started it all provides a less than reliable analysis of the life, times and teachings of Siddhatta Gotama, Buddha. This may not be her fault as no contemporary written source exists about Gotama's teachings or anything else about him. Gotama's teachings were passed down through oral tradition for centuries until a written language was developed. What IS her fault, however, is that this fact is almost completely ignored by Armstrong who makes only the slightest mention of it about a third of the way into the book. This fact, however, is quite consequential and downplaying it as she has done calls into question Armstrong's integrity as a researcher, scholar and writer of religious histories. She provides no analysis of evidence, not even a disclaimer about the quality or reliability of the information that exists. Instead, Armstrong attempts to bolster her findings (which are largely based on the Pali Cannon written in the 1 century BC) by stating that the monks responsible for verbally passing down Buddha's teachings took great care to ensure accuracy. That's it. End of discussion. I was really quite surprised and disappointed that she did not delve into the issue much more. It is the unfortunate problem with Armstrong's book and, quite frankly, with Buddhism - the vast timeframe for when events took place and when they were written down.

As I read this book I kept imaging how the Jesus Seminar and other biblical scholars would have treated similar evidence about Jesus. The answer: They would have dismissed it outright and left it at that. But then the standard for Jesus has always been quite high.

Rating:
Summary: A beautifut Dispassionate account
Review: One of the reviews for this book states that it is "Destined to become the classic source for anyone delving . . . into the life and teachings of the religious icon." - Christian Science Monitor.

I believe that they are right. It is the most interesting interpretation of his life and teaching that I have read. She draws from both the Pali texts and fragments of the early "lost" Indian material which can be found in translations of the scriptures into Chinese and Tibetan scriptures, which give some of the earliest collection of Sanskrit texts. She spends a good amount of time on the "did Buddha believe in God" issue. Her conclusion is that the use of "phenomena" to dazzle and amaze simple people and from that secure a belief of God was what Buddha objected to. She also talks about the axial age. I had not heard about that before and aparently the veracity of it is debated by some historians.

She brings her excellent command of history and research to the subject. In the January issue of Shambhalla Sun magazine she contributed an article that was also excellent.

I recently read that Buddha was considered by some to be one of the incarnations of Vishnu, the preserver and protector of creation and the embodiment of mercy and goodness. His incarnation as Buddha was to remove suffering from the world. Much of her interpretation would lend credence to this.

This book is well worth the time spent to read it. I have read it several times. It is an excellent source for those just beginning to learn about Buddhism and also for seasoned Buddhists.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book but contains errors
Review: The book has some errors that I would like to point out:

Rebirth not Reincarnation
Reincarnation as a plant is not possible (not sentient)
Craving not Desire

Also a Buddha does not arise every 32,000 years; only after a very very long time (usually measured in eons). There has and will be immeasurable Buddhas arising in the world (not 25). I did also note that there was a references to the Buddha and monks going to and eating "dinners"; this is not possible as eating in the afternoon is forbidden. The book was a nice read overall but needed a more knowledgeable editor.

Rating:
Summary: A moving read
Review: The strength of this writing lies in the writing itself. We should note that the title of this book is "Buddha", not "Buddhism", and furthermore, this book is part of the "The Penguin Lives Series". To expect it to be a discourse on Buddhism or even an introduction to Buddhism is to not only expect too much, it also sets out to expect something which Karen Armstrong didn't even set out to do.

Armstrong makes it clear that written sources were not available during the time of the Buddha, and that her account of the Buddha was gleaned from scholarly writings that were made available over the ages; she makes frequent references to scriptures and to legend. Why should we take her writing for gospel? Then again, no one said we have to - and certainly Armstrong had not said that herself. Her book is not a review of the historical authenticity of sources that are available; her book is merely an account of the Buddha's life, written through the one Western scholar's perspective - well and fine.

I need to add that Armstrong makes several mistakes about Buddhist thought in her book, which will not be at once apparent to the reader new to Buddhism. Those interested in Buddhism ought to look to other introductory texts to Buddhism for a better understanding of the philosophy. I would recommend Thich Nhat Hanh, or the Dalai Lama.

In the end, Armstrong has written a compelling, a moving and an interesting account of the Buddha's life based on written sources that are available. That is all I needed to give this book 4 stars. Whether the Buddha existed or not, whether the written sources available are authentic or not, and what Buddhism is or is not, are really subjects for another book.

Rating:
Summary: Too compact for such a complicated subject
Review: This book was very densely packed, as others of Armstrong's books I've read have been. But it also suffered (as others of her books do) from a certain lack of focus, a lack of central themes pulling the disparate material together, a lack of a lodestar to bring the reader's attention back to the main issues of the book.

I finished the book almost as an afterthought, having learned a good deal on the surface about the Buddha and the society he flourished in, but not having learned all that much beyond that about the religious life he established and extolled.

To be fair, the limitation of the series is that it forces the authors to write about complex and multifaceted lives in a relatively short space -- the books are not only short (this one was under 190 pages long), but smaller in size than the average book.

Having said that, I found myself longing for some kind of thematic cohesion that would keep me from getting lost every time I saw a protagonist's name, or a Pali religious term, or a place name repeated.